Known for its sweet scent and fun flavor, Anise is the herb you've heard about that smells and tastes like black licorice. That's why it's well known for attracting butterflies too. Use it as a garnish, or grind it up for a variety of recipes. Great in gardens, beds, and containers. 120 days.

Anise dates back to ancient Egypt, but it wasn't until the 14th century that it was introduced in the U.S. and England. Instantly popular and deemed very valuable thanks to its many culinary and medicinal uses, it was actually once accepted as a form of payment for taxes. How unfortunate that it's no longer considered legal currency, because it's super easy to grow! Most liken anise's powerful scent and flavor to that of black licorice, which has made it a common flavoring for teas and liqueurs as well as cough drops. Its wispy white flowers and lovely green foliage can be used in salads or as garnishes, or it can be ground up for use in a variety of recipes, including cookies, breads, and other baked favorites. Low maintenance and beautiful when flowering, anise likes to be planted where it will bask in lots of sun and will do equally well in gardens, raised beds, and containers.